Traditional Programs provide a classic day camp experience with a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities each day: sports, games, arts & crafts, science, music, cooking, and more. Campers enjoy swimming in our heated outdoor pool, and weekly on-site special events, such as a magic show, carnival, and so much more! Each week has its own special theme and value.
Focused Programs takes our traditional program to a new level offering weekly themed activities to keep the summer fun going. No two weeks are ever the same, which gives campers a new and exciting take on our traditional programming. Campers will participate in swimming, art, cooking as well as activities themed to their program name.
All programs below are the grade your camper in entering in the Fall of 2023.
Age Groups & Available Camp Programs
- Kindergarteners – Yeledim
- 1st graders – Sabra, Focused Programs, Specialty Programs
- 2nd & 3rd graders – Yalla, Focused Programs, Specialty Programs
- 4th & 5th graders – Kadima, Specialty Programs
- 6th-8th graders – Sababa, Specialty Programs
- 9th-10th graders – Yoetz (Counselor in Training)
Dates & Times
Monday June 12th – Friday, August 18th
No Camp Tuesday, July 4th
Camp hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00am-4:00pm.
Extended Care is available Monday-Friday from 4:00-6:00pm.
Visit our Registration Information page for more information.
Questions? Contact camp@jvalley.org
Yeledim (rising Kindergarteners)
For campers who will be starting kindergarten in the fall. Yeledim helps prepare children for the transition from preschool to kindergarten. Discover what it mean to be a BIG KID at Camp Shalom. Our compassionate staff understand that this can be an exciting and challenging transition for some campers. The Yeledim day includes a designated time for transition and relaxation after lunch. Campers swim during the week and have a dedicated space to do their programming. Our Yeledim program will run 8-weeks from June 12th – August 4th, on a weekly Monday-Friday registration. This program has a 1:6 ratio for staff to campers.
REGISTER HERE to join us for summer 2023!
Post-Camp is available for Kindergarteners, though they will not be separated, their group will be Kindergarten – 2nd grade. This will encourage them to interact and engage with other campers.
Visit our Registration Information page for more information.
Two Options for Rising Kindergarteners
Rising Kindergarteners have two options for summer 2023: Camp Shalom’s school-aged program or Katan Preschool Program.
Camp Shalom: Our summer camp for school-aged children is a more fast-paced program, offering enrollment by the week from June 12th- August 18th for those entering Kindergarten. This option is led by summer camp counselors, and is a great fit for children who are more mature and can keep up with a busy activity-filled day and new peers each week. Camp Shalom runs 9:00am-4:00pm daily, with the option to add Extended Care from 4:00pm-6:00pm.
Katan: Join the 5-year-old age group at the APJCC Preschool’s summer program, Katan, which is being offered in two sessions of 5 weeks each: June 20th- July 21st, and July 24th- August 23rd (proration of the second session is available for children who return to school prior to Aug. 23). This program is run by our fully qualified preschool educators, and is the right fit for children who thrive with consistency and the opportunity to be in a stable group of peers and a more structured program. For this option, you can register for half-day (8:30am-12:00pm), full-day (8:30am-4:00pm) or extended day (8:30am-5:30pm).
*Please contact the Camp Shalom Office at (408) 357-7416 or preschool at (408) 357-7417 for further information on which option is the best fit for your child.
Campers in Sabra and our NEW focused programs will have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of activities while at camp. All program listed below will swim during the camp week, as well as participate in our all camp activity.
Looking for Specialty Programs for your rising 1st grader? Check out our Specialty Page.
Sabra (rising 1st graders)
Sabra campers are full of ruach (spirit) and Camp Shalom energy! Sabra campers get to enjoy arts and crafts, science and nature, games and sports, and weekly special events! Through a broad range of traditional camp activities like tie-dye, slime, games of lava monster and more, Sabra campers will focus on building relationships and working together. Sabra campers will swim twice per week! Our Sabra program will run 8-weeks from June 12th – August 4th, on a weekly Monday-Friday registration.
NEW for 2023! Focused Programs for 1st graders
Week 1 (June 12-16): It’s a Doughball!
Explore the world of dough! Pizza, cookies or bread, it doesn’t matter you will learn it all. Create yummy foods using different types of dough. When away from the kitchen campers will have a chance to create works of art, play games, swim and have a “ball” at Camp Shalom.
Week 2 (June 19-23): Puppet Show Theater
This camp is all about puppets! Each day the campers will make a different type of puppet. We will be making sock, finger, craft stick and paper bag puppets. Once they are created the puppets will come to life in a puppet show. Campers will be able to continue to the fun playing games, swimming and more!
Week 3 (June 26-30): Down on the Farm
EIEIO…. Grab your shovels and gloves and Join us for an exciting week of farm themed activities including games, crafting, creating snacks, and more. Create haystack dipped pretzels to eat, homemade butter and more. The week wouldn’t be complete, without time at the pool with your new friends.
Week 4 (July 3-7*, No Camp Tuesday, July 4th): Stir & Sculpt
Campers will get to spend time cooking up some tasty treats, we will cook, create, and stir up some fun! Starting simple we will stir up a culinary creation in the kitchen. Jumping out of the kitchen and into the art studio to practice your skills at sculpting your own masterpiece. Continue to stir up the fun, with swimming, sports and so much more!
Week 5 (July 10-14): Clowning Around
Bring your red nose along and practice your clown skills. Learn about being a clown, make people laugh and try your hand at juggling. Practice your best jokes, learn a new one and use everyday items to create your own comedy skit. Keep the energy going by visiting the pool and taking part in other camp activities.
Week 6 (July 17-21): Tumbling Towers
Watch out below! Tinkering is a passion for kids big and small. During this week we’ll explore how to build towers and what makes them fall down. Can you build the tallest popsicle stick castle or toothpick tower? Come put your design skills to the test and spend the week tinkering away. When you aren’t building towers take part in traditional camp activities cooking and swim.
Week 7 (July 24-28): Sweet Treats
Make your own candy, cupcake and more. Split your time between the kitchen and the canvas. When not making a sweet treat to enjoy, campers will create sweet art projects, take a dip in the pool and enjoy some sweet summer fun!
Week 8 (July 31-August 4): Zoofari
Lions, tigers, and bears … Oh my! It’s time to unplug and embrace the wild. Learn about different animals, play animal themed games, create animal art, and explore cool colorful critters from around the world. Visit different locations around camp for swimming, art and more!
REGISTER HERE to join us for summer 2023!
Post-Camp is available for campers Kindergarten-5th grade, and runs August 7-18, for two weeks.
Visit our Registration Information page for more information.
Campers in Yalla and our NEW focused programs will have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of activities while at camp. All program listed below will swim during the camp week, as well as participate in our all camp activity.
Looking for Specialty Programs for your rising 2nd or 3rd grader? Check out our Specialty Page.
Yalla (rising 2nd & 3rd graders)
Yalla campers spend their day in their cabin groups experiencing all the best that Camp Shalom has to offer! As a team, campers will enjoy a wide variety of traditional camp activities like sports, creative play, arts and crafts, science experiments, and more! Yalla campers will build friendships and explore the ways they can make their communities great! Yalla campers will enjoy weekly special events and swim twice per week! Our Yalla program will run 8-weeks from June 12th – August 4th, on a weekly Monday-Friday registration.
NEW for 2023! Focused Programs for 2nd-3rd graders
Week 1 (June 12-16): Imaginarium
Let your imagination soar this week and think “outside the box” with fun and outrageous games and hands-on projects. This week is all about exploring and trying something new. Have fun making a glitter relaxation bottle, slime, or marble painting. Join your friends and counselors to go for a swim, solve camp riddles, and participate in a scavenger hunt!
Week 2 (6/19-6/23): Wide World of Sports
Run, skip, and laugh your way through various challenges during this fun-filled week. Campers will spend the week being introduced to sports and games, popular around the world. From capture the flag, to swimming to gaga ball this week will have it all!
Week 3 (6/26-6/30): Pizza & Picasso
Who doesn’t love pizza, let your creative energy run free! Join us for a week of hands-on creative fun including arts & crafts, cooking and science experiences. We will create masterful works of art, take a break by the pool and so much more!
Week 4 (7/3-7/7*, No Camp Tuesday, July 4th): Spies & CSIs
Everyone likes a good mystery! And, who doesn’t love pretending to be a spy! Campers will be challenged to use their own creative thinking to solve thrilling mysteries. Campers will also create spy gadget crafts, play mystery-solving games, and practice movement as they navigate their way through our obstacle course! Stretch out by the pool and create a mysterious snack as sleuth your way through the week.
Week 5 (7/10-7/14): Backstage Pass
Campers will enjoy a week of singing, exploring the world of theater and performing for their fellow campers. Campers will learn about a variety of music genres, perform skits, and express their creativity through music and drama. Prepare for the stage by creating a work of art and pamper yourself with a trip to the pool.
Week 6 (7/17-7/21): Mixed-Up Wacky Sports
Ever wonder what it would be like to play basketball using a tennis ball or volleyball with your feet. Wait no longer the time is here, come play different sports all week using funny rules you create and items you com up with. What better way to brainstorm some new crazy sports then taking a plunge in the pool and creating a tasty energy treat!
Week 7 (7/24-7/28): Storybook Creations
Bring your favorite books to life, spend time cooking food inspired by your favorite stories. Create your own story by creating a picture book and illustrating each pages. Spend time at the pool, play games and even create your own camp story!
Week 8 (7/31-8/4): Space Race
3, 2, 1….Blast off on a knowledge rocket during this week of out-of-this-world science! From our neighboring planets to the stars at the edge of our galaxy and beyond, we will make like a comet and soar through our solar system to learn all that we can about space. Jet to the pool, create cosmic cuisine in cooking and design your own artistic rocket.
REGISTER HERE to join us for summer 2023!
Post-Camp is available for campers Kindergarten-5th grade, and runs August 7-18, for two weeks.
Visit our Registration Information page for more information.
Campers in Kadima will have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of activities while at camp including swimming during the camp week, as well as participating in our all camp activity.
Looking for Specialty Programs for your rising 4th-5th grader? Check out our Specialty Page.
Kadima (rising 4th & 5th graders)
Kadima campers spend most of the day enjoying organized activities with their cabin groups. By connecting silly (and sometimes messy) traditional camp activities to Camp Shalom’s values, Kadima campers will develop ideas for projects that serve the community. Kadima campers will make unforgettable memories and friendships as they play, create, and explore as a team. Kadima campers will have weekly special events lined up. Our Yeledim Kadima will run 8-weeks from June 12th – August 4th, on a weekly Monday-Friday registration.
REGISTER HERE to join us for summer 2023!
Post-Camp is available for campers Kindergarten-5th grade, and runs August 7-18, for two weeks.
Visit our Registration Information page for more information.
Campers in Sababa will have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of activities while at camp including swimming during the camp week, as well as participating in our all camp activity.
Looking for Specialty Programs for your rising 6th-8th grader? Check out our Specialty Page.
Sababa (rising 6th-8th graders)
We will embark on adventures, build relationships, and have plenty of fun as we travel away from camp 2 days per week. Each week will feature one highlight field trip, and for the second day campers will get to choose their outdoor excursion for the week. They will get to pick the location from a list of pre-determined locations. Back at camp we will take part in team building, sports, hang outs, swimming, cooking and more! Sababa is the perfect fit for teens who are looking for something fun and different every day. Our Sababa program will run 8-weeks from June 12th – August 4th, on a weekly Monday-Friday registration.
Weekly Highlight Field Trips (subject to change):
Week 1: TopGolf
Week 2: Shoreline Lake – Kayaking/Paddling
Week 3: Laser Tagging Inc
Week 4: TBA
Week 5: TBA
Week 6: TBA
Week 7: Shoreline Lake – Kayaking/Paddling
Week 8: TopGolf
In addition, each week Sababa campers will help to choose an outdoor excursion to take part in from a pre-determined list: outdoor parks, beaches or other locations. Once they have chosen the location, an email will be sent to families regarding the location and anything the camper will need to bring.
REGISTER HERE to join us for summer 2023!
Visit our Registration Information page for more information.